Russia said the chances of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad staying in power were growing "smaller and smaller", as fighting on Sunday in southwestern Damascus shut a main highway from the capital.

"I think that with every day, every week and every month, the chances of his preservation are getting smaller and smaller," Medvedev said. "But I repeat again, this must be decided by the Syrian people. Not Russia, not the United States, nor any other country." Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev's remarks were the most vocal Russian statement yet that his days may now be numbered. (Reuters)